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Grand Island in Erie County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
 

Island Life

Restoring a Natural Community on the Niagara River

 
 
Island Life Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2017
1. Island Life Marker
Inscription. There are three islands located in the Niagara River just off the southern tip of Grand Island. These islands are important parts of the Niagara River ecosystem, but have suffered serious habitat loss or deterioration from a variety of causes.

Motor Island is one of the largest Great Blue Heron rookeries in the Northeast United States. The New York Power Authority (NYPA) completed a project in 2013 to protect the island from severe erosion by strengthening the shoreline, while also incorporating features to attract fish and other wildlife to the island.

The island between Motor island and Strawberry Island was once a productive wetland, but has been submerged for many years, losing its value as a fish and wildlife habitat. NYPA's efforts to restore this island, now completed, added over five acres of fish and wildlife habitat.

On Strawberry Island, NYPA is undertaking a habitat project here as well, to provide protection for the remaining parts of the island and to create additional habitat for species on the island, including the Bald Eagles nesting there. This project builds off of a previous habitat restoration effort begun by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), and is anticipated to be completed by 2017.

This photograph shows restoration work in progress in 2014 at
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the submerged site between Motor and Strawberry Islands. Photo courtesy of the Buffalo News

From this aerial view, looking south, all three islands are visible together. Motor Island is located closest, the restored island lies in the middle, and Strawberry Island is the furthest away from this vantage point. Aerial photo courtesy of New York Power Authority.

These three habitat improvement projects are being funded and constructed by NYPA in conjunction with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation and NYSDEC.
 
Erected by New York Power Authority.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2013.
 
Location. 42° 57.55′ N, 78° 56.332′ W. Marker is on Grand Island, New York, in Erie County. Marker is on Park Road Loop at Area 3, on the right when traveling east. Marker is along the road loop past area three in Beaver Island Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Grand Island NY 14072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Strawberry Island (here, next to this marker); Did You Ever Wonder What It Takes to Restore an Island? (here, next to this marker); Recovery (here, next to this marker); Management (here, next to this marker); a different marker
Island Life Marker at Right and Other Markers at Left image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Anton Schwarzmueller, January 27, 2017
2. Island Life Marker at Right and Other Markers at Left
also named Strawberry Island (here, next to this marker); A Home for Fish (here, next to this marker); Allenton Farm/Creating Beaver Island State Park (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grover Cleveland & Grand Island / Lewis F. Allen & Western New York (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Island.
 
Also see . . .  Beaver Island - New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. Vehicle entrance fee collected in season. (Submitted on January 27, 2017, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.) 
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2017. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2017, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York. This page has been viewed 285 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2017, by Anton Schwarzmueller of Wilson, New York.

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Mar. 19, 2024